IN LOVING MEMORY: Southgate teenager Josh Allen was a passionate soccer player who loved the Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: Contributed

News

Forever wandering: Josh’s legacy continues

by cmorton

Clair Morton
Journalist
Although I’ve moved around a bit, I’m a Queensland girl at heart with a love of the ocean and the mighty maroons. Since moving to Grafton earlier this year I have fallen in love with the Valley lifestyle. The best part of my job here is getting to know the locals and putting their stories on paper; there is always something going on and so many people with interesting tales to tell.

JOSHUA Bede Allen was a passionate, talented young sportsman who loved his team, the Western Sydney Wanderers.

After a year-long battle with an inoperable tumour, the Southgate teenager passed away last year on his 16th birthday.

A year on, his parents Greg Allen and Julie Revis hope to raise awareness for more research into children's cancer, in an effort to stop other parents going through the same thing.

From an early age, Josh emerged as a budding actor, scoring roles in school plays and musicals as he went through Grafton Primary and Grafton High School.

He was a goalkeeper with the Westlawn Football Club, played cricket with Tucabia-Copmanhurst Club where he opened for batting and was chosen as an emerging Blues player. He also played hockey with the Barb's, futsal for the North Coast and rugby for his school.

On September 23, 2013 he was diagnosed with a brain stem tumour (DIPG).

Radiation, chemotherapy, and a trial treatment followed at Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney, but unfortunately the aggressive tumours did not respond, and his parents' "beautiful, brave boy" was taken away, surrounded by his extended family.

Tomorrow marks a year since his death, and what would have been his 17th birthday.

Each day since has been a struggle for his parents, who see him every day of the week in photos, places he went, and familiar faces.

Whenever they get a chance, Greg and Julie watch the Western Sydney Wanderers play and as part of Josh's legacy forged a connection between the team and Ronald McDonald House. The Wanderers are now ambassadors for the charity, and give funds from one game each year to the cause.

The couple are also passionate about raising funds for research into childhood cancers, after meeting so many other families at Ronald McDonald House and the hospital in similar situations.